As an intern of Congresswoman Young Kim, representing the 39th congressional district of California, I am tasked primarily with answering phone calls from constituents and aiding them through federal agency casework as well as writing down their concerns about a variety of topics. As digital advocacy and social justice have become more prevalent in the media, I can affirm that I have definitely signed petitions that I have sourced online and emailed or left messages for my representatives, city council members, and police departments recently voicing concerns and frustrations that I wanted these people/agencies to stand up for. Frankly, I had never thought to do this before because I had never thought that this was an option, which is why I feel a sense of shock every time I answer the phone and assist a constituent of the Congresswoman, because now I am on the other side of the phone call. With that being said, I feel deeply reassured knowing that the thoughts of constituents are being noted in a system where a legislative team is taking note of what concerns are most reoccurring in the district; although I knew this already, it is nice to know firmly, in practice, that constituents are being listened to authentically.
On the House of Representatives floor this week were bills in regards to what some may call controversial, but I view it as simply human rights, issues. I went into the office on a Tuesday morning and opened my emails, as usual, to note an email from my supervisor warning us that there may be an increased volume of calls because of the sensitive matters in the bills presented on the floor. The House would be voting on HR 8404: Respect for Marriage Act and HR 8373: Right to Contraception Act, which are two attempts to recognize in federal law a fundamental right to access contraception and redefine, federally in law, the term “marriage” to include same-sex and inter-racial marriages. As a young, progressive, woman of color, I won’t divulge how I would personally vote in regards to these two frankly non-partisan bills, though I hope it is transparent - I will note instead that as an intern in a Congressional office, all my opinions and thoughts must be left behind before entering office.
At the end of the day, HR 8404 was voted on, and my supervisor willfully equipped myself and fellow interns with a short response to constituents who call in regards to the newly passed bill, and I went home that day in anticipation of what I would face the next morning. Many calls rolled in the next few days, and many constituents were angry, many emotional, and disappointed, and all of their feelings are valid. I learned that one of the grandest responsibilities we as citizens of this country have is to advocate for ourselves and our communities, and a powerful tool we have to do that is to remain civically engaged. Calling your representatives, and urging them to vote on measures that support you and your community is one way for the people to take power. So diligently, I took notes down on behalf of every phone call with a constituent concern, I listened, without inserting any comments, for up to 15 minutes with constituents and heard their concerns, and each time, I responded “I will pass this message along to the Congresswoman”. As I reflect on how I felt after these rather emotion-heavy phone calls, I initially felt disconnected - from both my own personal values and from the person on the other line. With this disconnect, came genuine emotional fatigue; I felt myself questioning how I want to exist in this world of public service and advocacy.
I carried these emotions with me that Friday when I got to meet with the rest of my CLA cohort. I am thankful that my fellow interns gave me an avenue to speak about my feelings and even validated how I feel. It was comforting knowing that I was heard by them, and that was when I realized the value of having a support system, especially when you are a part of someone else’s support system. My role in Congresswoman Kim’s office included being that support and platform for constituents to relay messages to their representatives, and as they are supported by me, I realized that I often overlook the fact that I have to also lean on my own support system as well. Ultimately, the week in the office really portrayed the not-so-glamorous aspect of public service, but also re-emphasized the personal importance of reaching out for a shoulder to lean on to reconnect me to the reason why I want to become a changemaker.